Cabaye sours Sam mood

West Ham 1 Newcastle 3

Just seven days after West Ham’s victory at Cardiff had them mentally preparing an open-top bus parade to celebrate Premier League survival, Sam Allardyce was bemoaning being ‘mugged’ twice in two days.

The first ‘assault’ came on Friday when Allardyce learned that Lacina Traore decided Everton was preferable to east London, despite the hard work West Ham put in to sign the Ivory Coast striker from Monaco.

Allardyce flew to Monte Carlo last week to talk to the player and conclude a medical, then spent time in London negotiating a work permit, only to be told on Friday the loan move had been hijacked by Roberto Martinez. “A kick in the nuts,” said the West Ham manager.

A day later, Allardyce and his club were done over again, this time by a gang from Newcastle clad in black and white tops and masterminded by a little Frenchman.

Yohan Cabaye gave a midfield masterclass and scored two goals in Newcastle United’s victory that plunged West Ham into the relegation zone.

Even the return of Andy Carroll for his first home appearance of an injury-ravaged season could not prevent a 12th defeat for West Ham, who were totally outplayed in the first half and failed to take their chances in the second, when both Carlton Cole and Carroll missed sitters from close range.

Cole’s goal in first-half stoppage time reduced the arrears after Loic Remy had put Newcastle 2-0 ahead, but he missed an easy chance by shooting wide with the goal at his mercy in the 56th minute.

And when Carroll was unwrapped from his cotton wool protection shortly afterwards, the lanky striker showed the rustiness from an eight-month absence by volleying high over the bar from nine yards.

At least Carroll’s presence had given West Ham more of a threat in that final half-hour when they went close to salvaging a point and give Allardyce hope they can yet survive.

“I was mugged more on Friday than I was today, because at least there was a fight back from the players.” he said.

“I got mugged good and proper yesterday. Monaco didn’t sign off the paperwork when we asked, and at the 11th hour it looks like they had a change of heart.

“To have worked so hard, gone out there to meet him and do a medical and then not complete the deal is a real kick in the nuts.”

Allardyce is on thin ice, with West Ham’s position increasingly perilous. After Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final second leg tomorrow and a trip to Chelsea next weekend, they face six-pointers against fellow strugglers Swansea, Aston Villa and Norwich in February.

“The bottom line is 22 points from the next 16 games makes you safe, however you get them, and the key lies against teams in the bottom half of the table and having players back from injury and suspension.”

Alan Pardew’ task for the remainder of the month is to keep Cabaye from prying eyes.

The French midfielder opened the scoring from close range in the 16th minute and completed it with a curling free-kick in the 95th.

“He’s added goals to his game and is a real influence for us,” added Pardew, who resisted a move from Arsenal last summer and is preparing for more.

“Everyone has a price so you are always nervous in a transfer window.!”

WEST HAM 4-5-1: Adrian 6; Taylor 5, Johnson 5, Collins 6, Rat 5; Downing 6, Collison 6 (Morrison 46, 6), Diame 6 (Carroll 63, 6), Noble 7, Jarvis 6 (J Cole 73, 6); C Cole 6.

NEWCASTLE 4-5-1: Krul 7; Yanga-Mbiwa 6, Williamson 7, Taylor 7, Santon 7 (Dummett 74, 6); Sissoko 7, Cabaye 9, Tiote 7, Anita 6 (Shola Ameobi 60, 6), Gouffran 6; Remy 7 (Ben Arfa 75, 6).

Ref: A Marriner.